Hurricane John on Track to Just Miss Baja California

The National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on Hurricane John, located a few hundred miles south of Baja California, and on Tropical Storm Kristy, located several hundred miles west-southwest of Baja California Sur. Former Tropical Storm Ileana, which formed on Sunday, has since been absorbed into Hurricane John.

Downpours resulting in flash flooding, rough surf and strong rip currents can be expected through Tuesday as Ileana dies down; however, Hurricane John is expected to continue to strengthen, becoming a category-3 storm as it’s projected to parallel the Mexico coastline into Friday.

John is expected to have winds over 200 mph, but, while the storm’s outer edges could skirt Baja California Sur, it isn’t on track to make direct landfall, meaning the popular tourist destination of Los Cabos should be spared from any effects. It’s expected to pass the peninsula late Wednesday night into Thursday.

Eight-foot swells are projected along the coasts, creating “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.” Even those in Southern California will experience the rough seas.

Mexican officials have posted a tropical storm warning from Tecpan de Galeana to Cabo Corrientes along the country’s south western shoulder.

Following Hurricane John, Tropical Storm Kristy will likely continue northwest towards Mexico; although it’s unlikely at this point to pose a threat to anyone on land.